I just went by one of those postal drop places (like Mailboxes, etc) to drop off a couple books that I had wrapped in my usual lunch bag encased in wrapping tape. The books were metered. When I went to hand them to the person at the counter, he said he would not take them because the post office told him he could not accept packages wrapped in brown paper. After dealing with the recent not accepting stamped packages, my blood pressure started to rise a little and I asked why - he said that this is what letter bombers use. I left not a happy camper and drove all the way to the post office. As I was mailing my books in the blue box, one of the employees came out to collect the mail, so I asked her. She said she had heard nothing of the sort! Has anyone had this happen to them?

HC

I haven't heard about not being able to use brown paper due to letter bombers.  I did find the following info about brown paper in a newspaper article:

"The postal service would prefer that people not use brown paper to wrap the box because it could tear off, losing the address. If people do use the paper, they should tape all edges securely and include an address inside the package. If the paper does get torn off, the address inside can be found at a claims office."

The key here may be that it was not an official PO - as a 3rd-party mail franchise, they can pretty much make their own rules, I think. As in, just because it's not in the DMM (Domestic Mail Manual) doesn't mean Mailboxes Etc (an example!) can't have a rule about "no packages wrapped in brown paper"

He did you a favor, IMO. I've always ended up paying way too much at those places.

UPS won't take articles wrapped in brown paper.  Does the store also take UPS shipments?

The UPS Store does USPS, UPS, and FedEx.  They are independently owned and operated and charge over and above the actual shipping rate.  That's how they make their money.

The only thing I've heard about using brown paper wrap, is that the PO doesn't like it but it is acceptable as long as the edges are all securely taped.  Loose paper can get caught in the machinery and tear off, leaving your box or book with nothing on it to indicate where it's going or where it came from.  Always put your address or the recipient's address inside the brown paper also (attached to the item if you can), just in case.

I justt got a package of three books wrapped in brown paper, and it came through just fine - with all the edges taped.

I've heard that letter bombers are switching to mauve.

I love that, Al!!! Yeah brown paper is fine with USPS. Anytime we can find the address on the package we are basically happy. (As long as there are no restricted items markings on the box - like a beer box.

I work for Fedex and we also do not accept anything wrap in brown paper, the reason being

is suppose (after placing the airbill  on the package what f the wrapping came undone? whoops there goes all the information

the company needs to send the package..  so why take the chance?

thats the reason I have been giving

I use brown paper (grocery bags, cut to fit and turned inside out) on many of my multiple book mailings.  I always ensure that all loose edges are taped and the mail to address is also included inside the package.  All of the clerks at my PO have taken these packages from me and none have ever mentioned that I should not be using brown paper for wrapping.

one of those postal drop places (like Mailboxes, etc) to drop off a couple books

This was not at the PO.

COuld he have just not wanted to take your package because you didn't buy the postage from him at a marked up 10% rate? He makes nothing by just taking your packages and he wants to make money.

I was told that at my local, no-name maildrop place years and years ago (long before 9/11 and all the resulting security hoopla.) I was annoyed, too, and never went back!

TromboneAL    LOLOLOLOLOLOL!

As far as I know we are the only shipper left who will accept brown paper wrapping on boxes.  I look for this to change sometime down the road as more automation enters the workplace.  Brown paper coming lose wrecks havok on the package, other people's mail, and the machinery. 

The sad part is some of my biggest "dissagreements" with customers have been over poorly wraped boxes and even items poorly wrapped and not even in a box.  I've been insulted, cussed at, and complaints filed against me because I won't accept them.  Some people just don't seem to understand that we may know what we're talking about and we are trying to make sure their package gets to where they want it to.

I got a book today wrapped in brown paper, it had torn and exposed the pages of my book but wasn't damaged. BUT they taped the paper to the dang book and that did damage the book. Grrrr!!!